Lebron James: The Tragic Hero

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent

You love him, or you hate him. There is no in-between. Lebron James, one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA, is my definition of a tragic hero.

Once upon a time, Lebron James was one of the most well liked athletes in the entire world. He was the darling of the media, the hometown hero, and anything he did was the trend of the NBA. He had it all. He had the skill, the accolades, the fans, the endorsements, the fame. Then one event changed his life...

The minute that changed it all...

It was like the world paused for a second, just to take in what just occurred. Then chaos. The burning of his jersey (something I've never seen happen,) the relentless criticism of the media, and everything else that followed. I've never seen a player fall from grace so fast (for something that wasn't illegal.)

The downfall of his popularity is almost unimaginable. If you look at it, its quite sad. Lebron has now become almost a punchline, and here are a few reasons why:

Lebron One-Liners - There is a page with nothing but jokes about Lebron.

Youtube - There are videos that Lebron is not even mentioned, yet people say things like "Lebron traveled", "Lebron sucks", etc etc.

His own hate site - It's pretty funny that Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin don't have hate sites, but Lebron does.

Now, I'm not going to list the reasons why and why not we should hate Mr. James. I'm also not here to defend Lebron. I am going to say the facts. Lebron was the NBA's most popular icon. Lebron switched teams. Lebron is now the most hated player of all of basketball outside of Miami. That change is position is why I believe he is a tragic hero.

Now, I've read an article on The Bleacher Report that inspired me to write this. You hate on Lebron all you want, but remember, you created this monster. You built him up on a pedestal so high that the only thing he can do is fall. Read the article here.

The Second Annual Brian Scalabrine Awards: Showcasing Unintentional Humor In Basketball

Welcome to the Second Annual Brian Scalabrine Awards! This award is dedicated to all the unintentionally funny players, happenings, or events in the game of basketball. Most are just mentioned for about a week, but the special ones have a cult following that will last forever (like the White Mamba himself.) 

Our winner isn't as popular as the White Mamba, but hardcore NBA fans usually get a kick out of watching him play. Sure, he's an asset to your team, but you can't help but laugh when something happens to this guy. So without further ado...

The Second Brian Scalabrine Award goes to....

Zaza Pachulia

Words cannot express how I feel about his suit.

First off, look at the picture. If that does not make you laugh or smile, I really don't know what else will. Secondly, for an enforcer-type player, Zaza is not the name you would be looking for. His name would be someone you would find on fashion week. Zaza is just a goofy guy. The look, his game, his name. He's certainly not a bad player, and he's representing his country of Georgia, but sometimes his antics get the best of me. For example,

Zaza jumps too early on the jumpball...twice.

See what I mean by goofy? After he gets a warning on the first one, Zaza is just a little too antsy and jumps again. Good thing he won on the third try, or that would have been pretty embarrassing. Though it was embarrassing enough that Josh Smith has to give you a quick tutorial on the rules of the jump ball.

Channeling the inner enforcer

As the enforcer of the team, if you decide to headbutt someone, please follow up with a swing if he puts his hands on your face. I just love the how riled up he is. Zaza always gets in scuffles like this, so it's always great to see him in a playoff atmosphere. Speaking of the playoffs...

Nothing easy!

The first time I saw this, I nearly pissed my pants. First things first, why in the blue hell would they choose Zaza Pachulia to be the interviewee after a great playoff win? Second, you cannot understand a word he is saying. No, being European isn't an excuse. Last but not least, his face at the :24 second mark is THE funniest look ever. He has the look that screams "awkward." Not just any awkward, it's like "walking in on your parents" awkward.

There you have it, ladies and gentleman! The second Annual Scalabrine Awards come to a close, but there is more great content found in the Full Article list!

Missed the first winner of the Brian Scalabrine Award? You can check it out here!

Improving Your Game: Free Throw Shooting

Poster child of missed free throws.

The free throw is probably the easiest shot in the game of basketball. You have plenty of time to prepare yourself, and no one is guarding you. Yet, plenty of NBA players just can't seem to put the ball in the rim when they get the opportunity. Here are some pointers if you're having some foul shot woes.

Relax

Just relax and take your time. Most players miss their free throws because they have the tendency to rush their shot. No one is urging you to hurry up, especially your teammates. Catch your breath, clear your mind, and prepare for the shot. Just remember, they're free. Relax.

Form

Free throws are all about form. If you watch some of the worst free throw shooters of all time, most of them have a technical flaw in their form. It all comes back to fundamentals! Here are some things to look for:

• Bend your knees - Bending your knees will give you a lift in your shot. Not doing this will most likely make your shot flat.
• Square up - Squaring up will give you a straight look at the basket.
• Follow through - This one is the most important. Look at the best free throw shooters in the game. They follow through so their shot can arc as best as possible.

Setting Up A Routine

Free throws are all about consistency. It's like waking up in the morning. Usually you have a set routine to do things, and 90% of the time it usually works. That's how you should view free throw shooting. Most NBA players have a routine, no matter how silly or wacky. If the routine works for you, use it! Just make sure you're not doing the routine to showboat, since that will break your concentration.

Some examples of free throw routines. Side note: Does anybody know what Karl Malone is saying?

Concentrate!

For a few seconds, take time to clear your mind. Forget the noise. Forget the jeers. Forget the situation in the game. No matter if it's the last free throws to win the game, or you're just practicing in the gym, a clear mind is the best way to knock down the shot. Extra thoughts in your head will just complicate things.

PRACTICE!

As the old saying goes, "practice makes perfect." Hitting the gym, working on your form, and setting up your routine will greatly increase your chances of hitting those free throws. Your teammates will thank you for it later!

Need more pointers on your shooting? Why don't you check out our other tutorial on improving your jump shot! You can find it here : Improving Your Game: The Jump Shot